City Budget Talks to Resume Monday

The City Council delayed decisions on many capital-improvement projects during budget talks last month but plans to revisit the issue Monday.

The council passed the bulk of the city's $88-million operating budget for 1998-99 at its June 22 meeting but asked City Manager Kevin J. Murphy to come back in a month with ideas on how to find more money for several projects.

The council approved spending for landscaping at Newport Elementary School, overtime for police officers patrolling Cannery Village and maintenance of beach restrooms. But it held off action on other projects, including street lights.

Come January, officials will know whether the state will repeal the vehicle license fee and possibly remove those funds from the city's budget.

Murphy also suggests the city be more aggressive in applying for grants to pay for infrastructure projects.

The council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Hall, 3300 W. Newport Blvd. Information: (949) 644-3309.